Chennai (Tamil Nadu): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami has said action will be taken against applicants who used fake details to receive cash aid frpm the Central government's aid program for poor farmers.
Speaking to reporters at Tiruvallur on Monday, Palaniswami said some have misused the benefits under the Prime Minster's Kisan Scheme and the aid received illegally would be collected from them.
Also read: Sushant's sister Priyanka, Delhi hospital doctor booked under NDPS Act
Under the PM-Kisan Scheme, small farmers with two hectares or less land are given Rs 6,000 per year as assistance.
In some Tamil Nadu districts, ineligible persons have availed the cash assistance with false information.
The case is being probed by the Crime Branch-Crime Investigation Department (CB-CID) and 16 persons have been arrested.
The scam first came to light at Cuddalore district and a probe was ordered by the District Collector there.
Alleging the scam runs into several crores of rupees, DMK President M.K.Stalin said in Palaniswami's home district Salem alone about 10,700 fake farmers have taken about Rs 4 crore under the scheme and their bank accounts have been frozen.
Stalin said Rs 4.20 crore has been recovered from fake farmers in Cuddalore district and Rs 4.50 crore in Villupuram district and complaints of scam has arisen in Tiruvannamalai, Perambalur and other districts.
The Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu assembly has also alleged scam in the Prime Minister's housing scheme wherein huge sums have been swindled providing fake accounts.
Questioning BJP for supporting the ruling AIADMK in the state, Stalin demanded a CBI probe into these scams.
(IANS report)
